We went to a free classical music concert this weekend. It was open air at Kirkstall Abbey, replete with fireworks and specially lit up ancient monastery for ambience. Mrs Hovells and her Mum. It was nice to feel a community coming together, and surprising to see so many different people were enjoying classical music. Being…

Ideas from last night’s Genius programme on Radio 4 (normal people get their ideas discussed live on radio). Some daft, some unworkable, but some brilliant. Shows what can happens people are allowed to speak freely. Interesting how much it got people talking too. Take time off now in exchange for retiring a bit later –…

Paul Colman’s written an interesting post on taking your time and finding ways to enjoy delays. I have a few issues with this since I’ve pledged to never be late again, but I like the way it questions  rushing and trying to do everything at once. Here’s a visual demonstration of doing too much in…

We met last night in Leeds for a few drinks last night. I was a bit nervous this time since it was down to me to arrange a venue. Realising with horror that I’m too old and dull to know where to go in my own town centre, I stuck to what I know and…

Great post from beeker about mutual respect and treating young creatives better while not bowing and scraping to the rest. Couldn’t have put it better myself.

What are the things that get you really riled about working with  agencies? I  need a favour if you can spare the time, can you spare five minutes to let me know five things you would change? I would greatly be in your debt. Anything from the client side doubly do. Might make interesting reading…

The last post (or next if you read it the other way) shows not only that you should leave press relations to the experts, but that PR should be at the heart of the process.  Yet in most cases, the two disciplines never get together. They’re very different, but they could complement each other beautifully.…

Our ChildLine film got some coverage in the Yorkshire Post, and me into hot water. I gave them a quick interview, but the words seem to have come out all wrong and I forgot to mention the creatives. It was Stu’s idea, but the project is described as ‘the brainchild of Andrew Hovells and Jaquie…

Glyn at Ideas department has some practical advice  on the skill of keeping it simple and taking time to write less. He wins extra points for quoting the wisdom of Mrs Northern Planner . These bits stood out: "You believe your own hype when people say ‘that’s clever’. (They either mean ‘that’s really good and…

So the incomparable Roger Federer has won another Grand Slam. Like most sports geniuses, he seems to be able to bend the laws of physics, just like the way Ali seemed to float across the ring or Michael Jordan seemed to hang in the air. But sometimes, having such mutant like gifts can make things…